Ballies On the Charge

KIFF CLAIM: Malia Manuel from Hawaii adds some style to a good wave claim. Photo WSL / Dunbar

From a South African perspective, the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro presented by Rip Curl, stop one of the 2022 World Surf League Challenger Series (CS), was a tough day out despite cooking surf. Sixteen year old Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Callum Robson won the event after four days of flawless waves although the front edge of a massive East Coast Low showed its face off the Gold Coast for Finals Day with strong-onshore winds and three-to-five foot waves.

The win marked the second CS win for Simmers after the US Open of Surfing last year, which earned her the final spot for the Championship Tour (CT) in 2021, but she declined. That spot went to Molly Picklum (AUS) so it was no surprise to see them matched up in the first Final of the CS season.

Hungry newcomers battled with veteran Championship Tour competitors with the stakes high for 2023 world tour qualification. For South Africa, Matthew McGillivray had already qualified. His second-round loss was just another heat surfed and more experience gained. For the other Saffas, it was a more expensive lesson. Joshe Faulkner (ZAF) The tall surfer from Jeffreys Bay got everyone's attention with powerhouse snaps, big boosts and all round radical surfinglost so close (0.01pts) against McGillivray, Mihimana Braye (PYF) and Eduardo Motta (BRA). However, the tall surfer from Jeffreys Bay got everyone's attention with powerhouse snaps, big boosts and all round radical surfing. Eli Beukes, Shane Sykes, Slade Prestwich, Max Elkington and Adin Masencamp were all eliminated in the Round of 96.

For the women, Zoe Steyn, Sarah Scott and Natasha van Greunen lost their first round heats, while Sarah Baum (ZAF) advanced to the Round of 32 but was eliminated by an in form Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Kirra Pinkerton (USA).

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